The problem: you used very little gas, but the bill still arrived
Many people cut usage in summer and expect the bill to drop close to zero. Then the statement shows a steady monthly charge anyway.
That line is usually the customer charge (also called a basic service charge). It is standard on most gas bills, and it does not depend on therms used.
Table of contents
The short answer
The customer charge is a fixed monthly fee that keeps your gas service active. It helps cover meter service, billing, and the infrastructure needed to deliver gas safely.
What the customer charge covers
While names vary, this fee typically supports:
- Meter maintenance and service
- Billing and account support
- Local distribution infrastructure availability
- Safety programs and system inspections
It is not tied to usage, which is why it remains in low-usage months.
Why it does not go away
Gas service has fixed costs that exist even when usage is minimal. The customer charge helps cover those base costs so the system stays available on demand.
This is why a summer bill can stay higher than expected even when therms are low. For the most common summer drivers, see why gas bills are high in summer.
Where to find it on the bill
Look for labels like:
- Customer charge
- Basic service charge
- Service availability charge
If you are not sure where to look, this guide walks through a sample bill layout: how to read your gas bill.
How it affects bill comparisons
When comparing bills month to month, separate fixed charges from usage charges. The best quick comparison is therms per day and the price per therm. Fixed charges will not change with usage.
If you want to verify usage directly, use your meter: how to read a gas meter.
Customer charge vs supply vs delivery
Think of the bill in three parts:
- Supply: the gas itself, priced per therm.
- Delivery: the system that brings gas to you.
- Customer charge: the fixed monthly base cost.
If you want a deeper breakdown of supply vs delivery, read gas delivery vs supply charges.
Common misconceptions
- "The customer charge is a penalty." It is a base service fee that applies to all connected accounts.
- "If I cut usage, the whole bill should drop." Usage affects the supply and delivery portions, but the customer charge stays the same.
- "The customer charge is the same as delivery." It is separate from delivery. Delivery can include both fixed and usage based charges.
Frequently asked questions
It is a fixed monthly fee for keeping gas service active, covering meter service, billing, and system availability.
